Best performing super funds in Australia
Looking for a better performing super fund? We’ve sorted these super funds by showing our Online Partners with the highest five-year returns first so you can find the best super fund for you. You can also sort by Canstar’s expert Star Rating.
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The initial results in the table above are sorted by 5 year return (High-Low) , then Star Rating (High-Low) , then Provider Name (Alphabetical) . Additional filters may have been applied, which impact the results displayed in the table - filters can be applied or removed at any time.
What are the best super funds in Australia?
Finding the best super fund for your needs and budget can take time. Fortunately, Canstar Research has made it easier by researching and comparing products from 40 different super funds. The result is our Superannuation Star Ratings and Awards—designed to help you in your search for the best super fund for you. The awards consider investment returns after fees, as well as a fund’s features and services to help Aussies grow their savings and achieve a secure retirement. Six super funds topped the list in the most recent awards:
AMP Super
Retail super fund AMP is a new Outstanding Value award winner this year. AMP Super’s MySuper product (a default investment option for members who don’t choose their own investment strategy) is a lifecycle product that manages members’ funds differently based on the decade they were born in. This allows the super fund to invest a member’s funds in higher growth assets for a large portion of their life, increasing the allocation to more defensive assets as they near retirement.
AMP Super achieved strong annual net returns over the observed seven-year period, with its MySuper 1980s investment option posting a strong 10.98% return last year. On features, the fund offers a market-leading level of advice offerings (including digital advice) and a comprehensive array of tools.
Australian Retirement Trust (ART)
Australian Retirement Trust (ART), formed through the 2022 merger of Sunsuper and QSuper, maintains its Outstanding Value award for the second consecutive year. Its lifecycle default MySuper product continued to achieve strong investment performance in 2025, alongside offering low admin fees relative to other providers in the industry. MySuper lifecycle automatically switches members’ fund allocations between its High Growth, Balanced, and Cash investment options, progressively shifting from High Growth into a more defensive asset allocation when members turn 51.
AustralianSuper
Australia’s largest super fund by funds under management and number of members, AustralianSuper retains its award for another consecutive year. AustraliaSuper continues to perform strongly against the market with its default MySuper Balanced option. This product maintains a consistent risk allocation for investments over the life of the member, achieving strong returns for members right up until retirement. In addition to performance, it maintains a comprehensive level of support services and insurance, including competitively priced default Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) and Death cover.
Aware Super
Aware Super retains its Outstanding Value award in 2026, attributed to its historically strong level of investment performance over the observed seven-year period by their MySuper lifecycle product. Alongside a high degree of features, including online functionality, Aware Super offers some of the most comprehensive tailored life insurance options across TPD, Income Protection, and Death cover.
Hostplus Super
Hostplus Super retains its Outstanding Value award in 2026 with its Balanced MySuper investment option continuing to uphold high annual net returns, historically achieving some of the best performance for members’ of all ages, even up until retirement. This super fund also offers a wide range of investment options, including pre-mixed options and listed securities for those seeking investment flexibility and more control over their superannuation balance, accompanied by a high level of advice services.
Mercer Superannuation
New award winner this year, Mercer Superannuation, offers a default superannuation product that follows a lifecycle structure, grouping members into separate funds based on the year they were born. Mercer adjusts the asset allocation of each group of members to more defensive assets as they get older to lower risk as they near retirement. The exclusion of 2018 returns and outperformance in 2025, alongside some of the lowest admin fees in the market, underscores Mercer’s improvement in achieving above-average net returns for its members. This super fund also offers an extensive range of investment options, including listed securities and term deposits, as well as a deep array of advice features through both internal and external advisors and resources.
If you’re looking for a super fund with the highest level of customer satisfaction in our assessment, UniSuper received the most recent Most Satisfied Customers Award: Super Fund, based on a survey of 5,766 members across 61 super funds.
While the funds mentioned above aren’t strictly the best performing super funds in Australia, they represent overall value across a range of factors worth considering.
Why is performance important for super funds?
Superannuation is all about setting yourself up for retirement. It’s important that while you’re still working, your super is working for you. The investment return that your super makes (its performance) is a key factor in this–that’s why people are often interested in the best performing super funds.
Please note all information about performance returns is historical. Past performance should not be relied upon as an indicator of future performance; unit prices and the value of your investment may fall as well as rise.
A small difference in average performance can really add up over time:
Effect of Annual Returns on Superannuation Balance at Retirement
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| Scenario 1 |
Scenario 2 |
Scenario 3 |
|
| Starting Age | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Retirement Age | 67 | 67 | 67 |
| Starting Gross Annual Income |
$83,200 | $83,200 | $83,200 |
| Starting Balance | $26,154 | $26,154 | $26,154 |
| Annual Investment Returns |
7.6% | 8.3% | 8.7% |
| Average TPD and Life Insurance Premiums |
$174 | $174 | $174 |
| Account Balance at Retirement |
$633,100 | $694,400 | $780,900 |
| Difference to Base Scenario Retirement Balance |
– | $61,300 | $147,800 |
Source: www.canstar.com.au. Prepared on 10/02/2026. Scenario begins at the start of the 2025-26 financial year and is based on a 30 year old with a starting balance of $26,154 (per APRA Quarterly Superannuation Industry Publication), starting gross annual income of $83,200 (per ABS Characteristics of Employment – median full-time employee earnings), and retiring at age 67. SG Contribution amounts per Government announced rates, and along with the salary sacrifice and monthly after-tax amounts, are assumed to be paid into superannuation fund quarterly. Employer contributions are assumed to be taxed at 15%. Investment returns based on quartiles of annual investment returns net of fees for funds available for a 25 year old with growth asset allocations between 60%-80% on Canstar’s database, with the first, second and third quartile represented in scenario 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Gross investment returns net of fees. Average life and TPD insurance premium of $174, is assumed charged at the end of each year based on default cover available for a 25 year old on Canstar’s database. Annual income, insurance premiums, salary sacrifice and extra after-tax contributions are assumed to increase with inflation each year. Inflation is assumed to be 2.5%p.a. due to the rising cost of living (CPI Inflation) plus a further 1.5%p.a. due to the rising community living standards. Please note all information on income and superannuation performance returns are used for illustration purposes only. Actual returns and the value of your investment may fall as well as rise from year to year; this example does not take such variation into account. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
In this example, a difference of 1.1% in performance each year can mean a person who retires at 67 could have an extra $147,800 in their super fund. You can compare super funds from our Online Partners, and their performance, using the table above.
How often should I check my super performance?
It’s recommended you check your super fund’s performance every year, perhaps when you receive your annual statement around the end of the financial year (end of June). You can access your statement through your fund’s online portal. Look at your fund’s long-term performance–its three-, five-, and 10-year returns–and ensure your current investment options still match your risk tolerance and life stage.
How to choose the best super fund for you
Past performance can give an indication of what a fund has been able to deliver historically, but doesn’t necessarily mean a fund will be able to repeat that performance in the future. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a super fund:
- Fees charged (including admin, investment, performance, insurance, and advice fees and transaction costs when buying or selling assets)
- Investment options available
- Insurances, such as life, TPD, and income protection
- Education and financial advice on offer
How to compare super funds
Use the table above to compare super funds from our Online Partners to find the one that best fits your requirements. It features Canstar’s expert Star Rating for each product rated and details like the expected annual fees on a $50,000 balance and one- and five-year returns, calculated as a percentage.
Use the filters to adjust the table to match your needs. These include options for different types of funds (like retail or industry funds), insurance options (such as life insurance, TPD, and income protection), and accessibility for members.
You can also specify other requirements, such as the Star Rating, provider, and whether or not they’re a Canstar Online Partner. There’s also buttons to take you directly to the provider’s website (Canstar may earn a referral fee).
FAQs about the Best Performing Super Funds in Australia
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Canstar Superannuation Star Ratings and Awards
Looking for an award-winning product or to switch providers or brands? Canstar rates products based on price and features in our Star Ratings and Awards. Our expert Research team shares insights about which products offer 5-Star value and which providers offer outstanding value overall. We also reveal which providers have the most satisfied customers in our dedicated Customer Satisfaction Awards.
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About our finance experts
Alasdair Duncan, Deputy Finance Editor
Joshua Sale, GM, Research
As Canstar’s Group Manager, Research, Ratings & Product Data, Josh Sale is responsible for the methodology and delivery of Canstar’s Superannuation Star Ratings and Awards. With tertiary qualifications in economics and finance, Josh has worked behind the scenes for the last five years to develop Star Ratings and Awards that help connect consumers with the right super fund for them.
He believes that for many Australians, superannuation is arguably the most important financial product they will ever have, as the fees you’re paying and your fund’s performance could be the difference between a comfortable retirement and struggling to pay the bills.
When it comes to his own super, the phrase ‘set and forget’ is not in Josh’s vocabulary. Not only does he check his super balance monthly, he maintains spreadsheets with projections to ensure he’s on track for retirement. He is passionate about helping others to actively monitor their super and make sure they are on track for the best retirement possible.
As one of Canstar’s spokespeople, Josh has been interviewed on a wide range of personal finance topics by media outlets such as the Australian Financial Review, news.com.au and Money Magazine.
You can follow Josh on LinkedIn, and Canstar on X and Facebook.
Additional reporting by Nick Whiting
Important information
For those that love the detail
This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.